When it comes to the National Rifle Association's grade it assigns to politicians, F must stand for fearless.

Because that's what it takes to stand up to the gun lobby in the Kentucky General Assembly where most members have A ratings and appear fully aligned with the firearms industry goal of manufacturing and selling as many guns as possible to as many people as possible.

Now we learn Kentucky lawmakers are bent on handing out as many permits as possible to carry concealed weapons — even though Kentucky is an "open carry" state, meaning you can go almost anywhere in public with a gun as long as it's openly displayed.

Even as the nation follows the horrifying aftermath of yet another mass shooting by a deranged gunman, The Courier-Journal's Mike Wynn reports that the number of permits to carry concealed weapons in Kentucky is soaring, thanks to annual efforts to weaken state laws.

Meanwhile, an anguished father appealed for sensible restrictions on firearms after his son was one of three killed in a shooting spree Friday near a California college by a disturbed man complaining of social rejection.

"Why did Chris die?" demanded Richard Martinez, the father of slain student Christopher Michael-Martinez. "Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live? When will this insanity stop?"

But the insanity continues long after many hoped the 2012 slaughter of 20 small children and six adults at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary would bring reform at the federal level.

It did not but several states have moved forcefully to limit firearm violence including Connecticut.

But not Kentucky, where the General Assembly has meekly waved through a series of bills to loosen Kentucky's gun laws to the point where they are almost meaningless when it comes to permits to carry concealed weapons. Such laws are passed routinely by cowed lawmakers afraid of being ripped by the NRA, with only a few brave enough to vote no and voice objections.

Among them is Rep. Jim Wayne, a Louisville Democrat graded F by the NRA because of his willingness to openly oppose the agenda the organization promotes in every statehouse, including Kentucky's.

He's in an elite club. Only a few in Kentucky's statehouse boast an F rating (Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, a Louisville Democrat is one). Among Kentucky's federal congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat, is the lone member to boast an F.

Kentucky has issued about 300,000 permits since the law allowing concealed weapons was passed in 1996 and the number has accelerated as the legislature makes it increasingly easier to get them. Meanwhile, public access to records of who holds permits has been eliminated by the legislature, which also has restricted access to such records by law enforcement.

Still, groups in favor of common-sense gun laws have had some success, working state by state. Among them is Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, founded by one mother after Sandy Hook. It now has chapters in all 50 states and growing public influence.

Lawmakers and people who elect them need to listen and learn from such groups. Otherwise, they can heed the warning of Mr. Martinez.

"Our family has a message for every parent out there," he said. "You don't think it can happen to your child until it does."